Discussion Week 9

It is really interesting topic talking about learning styles. Not all students are using the same strategies to learn a given topic. Therefore teachers are invited to cater for a variety of styles to assure that the maximum of learning is taking place.  In the same lesson, first a teacher needs to provide visuals, such as pictures, movies or posters. Second, a teacher need to provide audio part, either his or her voice or bringing materials that would suit the purpose to cater for the auditory learners. Third, there is a necessity for something to be touched as handout, books, or documents that a learner can make use of. There is a need that that a learner should voice what he or she has been learning. 

I think technology would serve perfectly the classroom prerequisite. The countless tools that we have been exposed to along this course are outstanding and practical once we will have mastered their utilization. In fact there are many tools and applications, but we need to be careful in choosing the suitable tool for to satisfy the need and curiosity of our students.   Howard GARDNER’S theory of multiple intelligences emphasis on how can teachers “integrates educational theories, teaching strategies, and other pedagogic tools in meaningful and useful ways to better address the needs of students.”

“Learning styles and strategies” differentiates between active and reflecting learners. It is so enlightening to read about way and techniques that “sensing learning help themselves “.  There are comprehensive situations that a learner should adopt and adapt, being a sequential, or being a visual and verbal learner, or being a global learner.

Early Reflection Week 8

 Wehave learned a lot

I would start thanking the moderator for leaving no excuse for any course taker to see that I would not be able to create a platform for my students or design virtual documents that the students would benefit from.  It is breathtaking to be exposed to such a variety free of charge links and software application that for sure it would enhance our use of technology within and beyond our classes.

I have already used nice classroom. I think it would so useful to be used to sustain students’ constructive learning and making them optimistic learners. I am really thankful for refreshing our minds and making us aware of

Padlet

Google drive

wikispaces.com. I have created my wikispace: https://readwrite-enhancement.wikispaces.com.

I am going to invite my students to used to benefit from the ample learning opportunities it would offer

Padlet: I have posted a document there and create my own Padlet. I will be exploring it and visualize the way to link it to wikispace for more document sharing, and a plus for student learning

Hot Potatoes: I need to refresh my mind to used again this application to design classroom activities

Also, I have designed a lesson plan relying on: http://www.easytestmaker.com/User.

 But the problem it does not offer many option to create advanced lessons plan probably we need to pay to use those advance options. I can add TOOLS FOR EDUCATORS which are “Free tools for teaching - printable worksheets, classroom printable and on-line worksheet templates with images”.  

 ANVILL, I have my account. I am sure I would be using it. Recently, I have been introduced to Language lab. I have written about this in week 7 reflection.  There are great opportunities to explore and put into practice.

Working on my final project has helped very much to see the most important components that I should integrate in the projects. I would be checking every detail to make it better and easy to implement for anyone who would be interested in.  

The tools that have been presented are appealing and open up an endless appetite for learning for anyone who even has no idea about implementing technology in the classroom .However, there are many constraints. It is one hundred percent “yes”. Everyone would okay the importance and its usefulness. However, the curriculum overload and the exam agenda, the very limited hours, and the impossibility to beneficial extra-curriculum would mare and deter the teacher from using them.   

Week 7 Reflecton

Endless learning, the more we advance in this online course, the more one feels that it continues to be a distinguished experience, especially when you explore new things and skills one has never investigated or thought of. It is great to say that the human mind is a powerful endowment that would never declare its limit.

I have discovered and exposed Padlet which seems to be an eminent   tool  in the classroom. Students would love so much to be exposed to such tool. It is a common sharing platform where students can read easily documents in four different formats.  Finally, I have uploaded a document to Padlet, after struggling over four days to make out the way it works. Also I have created my own account.

Week 7 materials are an enlightening phase to unveil and again to refresh ourselves about the autonomous learners.  They open many doors students to contribute positively  and   effectively in their own learning. Teachers should set safe road maps for their students to cross the stormy rivers or streams safely and confidently, via well planned and ornamented diagrams. These instructors should be  devoted and self-denial ones. They  endeavor for the sake of their students’ needs.

My choice would be blogging. As far as a partner is concerned, I am still waiting for a classmate to suggest working together.  
Perhaps, confused with whom to start this journey!

Week 7 reading materials towards autonomous learning

This week reading materials have been a plus in our learning journey for the amount of information we have been exposed to and the variety of skills we would be implementing in our classes.

In the article “ELT Expert: Creating a Computer Lab for English Language Teaching” presenting the assumptions and how to set up a Lab learning center as a resource for both teachers and learners. It is useful to enhance effective communication with learners through the available materials and to achieve the intended objectives. The writer recommends software strengthening for a safe use at home.

In “The One-Computer Classroom” The writer explores the possibilities to use such equipment for coming up with innovative ideas by both the teachers and students. It can be used for administrative and communicative purposes, for evaluation, presentations, and last not least publishing and producing content. The writer proceeds in providing details for each component. In addition the writer suggests outstanding thoughts about “one computer classroom” across the program of study and the possible issues that would be raised such management, and students’ participation in the classroom.

In t he “Two Activities for Fostering Autonomous Learning” The teachers  are delegating their role to students to teach their peer and learn much better as they are fully engaged in the process of learning and unlearning new skills, especially in the second activity when students were asked to design test for their peers.

“Mobile Assisted Language Learning Applications”  article presents a variety of links and enlightenment, and the kind of applications that can afford instructions to devise activities for their students.

However, “Language Learning & Technology” has a great role in the historical background of computer software evolvement, and how many times they have been substituted with advanced technologies that has been never stopped being rejuvenated…..

All the previous raised issues above would contribute and enhance autonomous learning.  Autonomous learners would engage surely, and safely, via well equipped suitable materials and guidance for students to hold them responsible for their own learning.   But how can we say as Richard Smith states in “Learner autonomy”: that a “learner autonomy can be seen” as an educational goal which is cross-culturally valid”?

Week 7 PROJECT STEP: Peer Review Partner

Blogging is a great project idea to, implement in the classroom. It would provide endless opportunities for students to practice their wiring skills. The latters will get used to editing their writing before submitting their final products.

 It is also a chance to enhance reading skills. Students are supposed to read their peers' production and provide feedback and comment on them.
 They need to present their reactions to their classmates’ comments and feedback. Hence,  they will make use of their high order of thinking. It is a way to put into practice critical thinking techniques into practice, either by using bloom taxonomy or Socratic Method of teaching.

This is an invitation to find a partner who would collaborate and work by using BLOGGING TOOLS with their students in the classroom to provide opportunities for them to  develop as far as writing and reading skills are concerned. This would assure a boost to make better their listening and speaking abilities.